In the blink of an eye, Gu Zhan had already lived in Zhen’guo Temple for a full month.
Early that morning, Marquis Yong’an’s Wife brought Wen Yunyue to bid farewell. They would be returning to the Marquis Household shortly.
With Marquis Yong’an’s Wife present, the Old Royal Consort did not show any dissatisfaction toward Wen Yunyue, and the atmosphere among them remained relatively harmonious.
After Wen Yunyue and her mother left, the Old Royal Consort brought up the matter again.
“Zhan’er, you should already understand the situation in Marquis Yong’an’s Household. If you insist on marrying Miss Wen, you will inevitably become entangled with Marquis Yong’an. That man is of ordinary talent but has great ambition. I fear he may use you…”
“There are plenty of good girls in this world. Let Mother choose another one for you, alright?”
Her tone sounded almost like she was coaxing a child.
Gu Zhan asked, “Wasn’t the engagement with Miss Wen agreed to by Mother? Why are you now… Could it be that Miss Wen did something to displease you?”
He was genuinely curious whether Wen Yunyue had done something.
The Old Royal Consort’s expression remained calm.
“It is not that she did anything wrong. It is simply that your eight characters are incompatible. You are not suited to be together.”
Previously, she had agreed only because the original Gu Zhan had persistently insisted. At that time, she felt nothing in particular about Wen Yunyue and thought it was fine as long as he liked her.
But after hearing Master Liaokong’s interpretation, she had become dissatisfied with the engagement. Combined with Gu Zhan’s recent nightmare episode, she was even more unwilling to let Wen Yunyue enter the Prince’s Estate.
Gu Zhan felt helpless. It was still that reason again.
However, since his so-called “nightmare” had been cured in Zhen’guo Temple, he had no standing to accuse her of superstition. He could only say, “Mother keeps saying Miss Wen and I are incompatible, but the engagement has already been set. How can it be easily canceled?”
Of course, he also wanted to cancel the engagement. If the Old Royal Consort had a way that would not harm Wen Yunyue’s reputation, he would gladly go along with it.
The Old Royal Consort noticed the slight softening in his tone and felt pleased.
“How could it be difficult? We will simply say her fate is too strong and that your eight characters are incompatible.”
Gu Zhan shook his head. “Mother, if we do that, what will become of Miss Wen in the future?”
The Old Royal Consort looked at him.
“Zhan’er has really changed.”
The original Gu Zhan had always been self-centered. When had he ever considered others?
Gu Zhan smiled. “I used to only think of myself and caused Mother and Big Brother much trouble.”
“You were still young then. It is normal to be immature.”
In the Old Royal Consort’s eyes, Gu Zhan would always be a good child no matter what he did.
The original Gu Zhan’s arrogance and recklessness could be said to have been shaped largely by her indulgence.
The higher one’s position, the colder one’s heart often became. This phrase suited her perfectly.
The former Prince had not been a devoted man. There were many concubines in the residence, yet aside from Gu Lin and Gu Zhan, there were no other children. This alone was clearly unusual.
A careful observer could infer that the Old Royal Consort was not a kind-hearted woman. Her current devotion to Buddhism might very well be penance for past deeds.
Gu Zhan did not know her true nature, but he could faintly sense her indifference toward Wen Yunyue.
She would not consider Wen Yunyue’s well-being. But Gu Zhan could not remain indifferent.
This marriage had been forced by the original owner. Now that he wanted to dissolve it, he already felt guilty toward Wen Yunyue. If he had to ruin her reputation in the process, he could not accept it.
“Mother, if you truly insist on disliking Miss Wen, I can end the engagement with her. But the explanation must be changed.”
“Changed how?”
As long as the engagement could be broken, the Old Royal Consort did not care about the excuse.
“We will say Miss Wen and I are incompatible, but not because her fate is flawed. Rather, it is simply that we are not suited for each other.”
This way, the engagement could be dissolved without harming Wen Yunyue’s reputation.
Thinking he was finally close to freedom, Gu Zhan grew more and more excited. “What does Mother think?”
“Zhan’er is very clever. Let us do as you say.”
“Alright.”
The smiling Gu Zhan did not notice the Old Royal Consort’s subtle expression.
Even though Great Yue was relatively open-minded, society was still unfair to women.
Gu Zhan did not realize that historically, when couples were matched before engagement, incompatibility in birth charts was common. But when an engagement had already been set and was later broken due to such a reason, it almost always implied fault on one side.
Gu Zhan was the Prince’s younger brother and the Emperor Xuanwu’s nephew. His status was noble. Naturally, no one would suspect that he was the problem.
Then the only possible conclusion was that Wen Yunyue was at fault. Her reputation would inevitably suffer.
The Old Royal Consort understood this clearly, but she did not intend to tell Gu Zhan. As long as Wen Yunyue did not bring harm to him, she did not care about anything else.
“When we return to the residence, I will have Meng Li speak with Marquis Yong’an and arrange the dissolution of the engagement.”
Gu Zhan nodded obediently, feeling increasingly that these days were fortunate. First, Gu Lin had not suspected him, and now even the engagement issue was resolved.
As long as he ended the engagement with Wen Yunyue, the Male Lead Wei Hao would likely leave him alone.
He thought this far too naively.
……
Three days later, Gu Zhan and the Old Royal Consort prepared to return to the Prince’s Estate.
The reason for the early departure was that the Old Royal Consort feared Gu Zhan might change his mind, so she wanted to settle the matter quickly.
Coincidentally, Gu Zhan also shared the same thought. Thus, after only a little over a month in Zhen’guo Temple, they left.
Back at the residence, Gu Lin had not yet returned. As one of the emperor’s favored candidates for succession, he and the King of Lang were constantly by Emperor Xuanwu’s side, studying governance and discussing state affairs with ministers.
By evening, Gu Lin finally returned.
Soon after, Zhang Liu came to report.
“Second Young Master, His Highness has already been invited to the Quiet Peace Hall.”
The Quiet Peace Hall was the Old Royal Consort’s residence.
Gu Zhan nodded. He knew exactly why she had called Gu Lin over, and his nerves tightened.
“Go keep watch. Once Big Brother leaves, report to me immediately.”
Whether the engagement would be dissolved depended on this moment.
At the Quiet Peace Hall.
Gu Lin sat below the Old Royal Consort.
“Mother, why have you summoned me?”
The Old Royal Consort did not bother with pleasantries.
“Zhan’er’s engagement with Miss Wen is inappropriate.”
Gu Lin’s expression remained unchanged.
“Is Mother still speaking of fate and birth charts? If so, I can tell you that Master Liaokong was likely instructed by someone to deceive you.”
“What?” the Old Royal Consort frowned.
“Do you have evidence?”
Gu Lin shook his head. “Not yet, but I am eighty percent certain.”
Between Gu Lin and Liaokong Master, the Old Royal Consort naturally trusted her son more.
“What benefit would anyone gain from disrupting Zhan’er’s engagement with Miss Wen?”
Gu Lin explained further.
“Today, the court received news that General Shan defeated fifty thousand troops of Great Liang several months ago and reclaimed the lost cities. His Majesty was greatly pleased. If nothing unexpected happens, General Shan will be promoted upon returning to the capital, and may even be granted a noble title.”
The Emperor Xuanwu placed great importance on military generals due to constant threats from Great Liang. Merit in battle was highly rewarded.
A general being ennobled was especially significant. Once General Shan returned victorious, the Shan family’s status would rise dramatically.
And Wen Yunyue, as General Shan’s only granddaughter, would become extremely valuable.
The Old Royal Consort immediately understood.
“No wonder you were cautious, Meng Li. Otherwise, we would have fallen into their trap.”
The scheme had been clever. They exploited her belief in Buddhism and used fate and birth charts as a pretext. If Gu Lin had not investigated, she would have forced the engagement to be broken, exactly as the enemy intended.
“However, Meng Li, how did they know about the battlefield situation before the court did?”
“Clearly, they have spies stationed at the frontier.”
This revealed not only Master Liaokong as a pawn, but also part of the opponent’s strength.
“Only the King of Lang could have such capabilities.”
The Old Royal Consort made her judgment.
Gu Lin agreed. “I think so too.”
“Meng Li, do as you see fit. I will not interfere.”
Feeling guilty about nearly being manipulated, the Old Royal Consort chose not to interfere further.
Gu Lin nodded. “Thank you, Mother.”
After successfully stopping the dissolution of the engagement, Gu Lin soon left Quiet Peace Hall.
Back in his courtyard, he coldly ordered, “Dispose of Liaokong.”
Since there had been no further useful information after all this time, Liaokong had clearly been abandoned. Gu Lin saw no reason to keep him alive.
He still remembered Master Liaohui’s prophecy. He did not believe in fate, but after Gu Zhan’s nightmare incident, he was willing to give it some consideration.
If Wen Yunyue could truly bring Gu Zhan fortune and peace, he would protect her.
Elsewhere, Zhang Liu hurried back to report to Gu Zhan.
Hearing the news, Gu Zhan immediately rushed toward Quiet Peace Hall.
Entering the hall, he looked at the Old Royal Consort with bright, expectant eyes.
“Mother, did Big Brother agree?”
The Old Royal Consort felt a headache coming on.
Earlier, she had wanted the engagement dissolved. Now she no longer did, yet Gu Zhan clearly still expected it.
She coughed lightly.
“Zhan’er, this matter requires further consideration.”
Gu Zhan’s expression instantly fell. “Why?”
“Mother thinks your Big Brother is right. Master Liaokong’s abilities cannot compare to Master Liaohui’s. Since Master Liaohui believes your compatibility with Miss Wen is favorable, then it must be so.”
Gu Zhan: “……”
Mother, that is not what you said before.
He clearly remembered her accusing Master Liaohui of taking bribes earlier, and now she suddenly believed him?
What had seemed like a certain outcome had fallen apart. Even the Old Royal Consort had switched sides. How was he supposed to end this engagement now?
Gu Zhan felt utterly despairing.
The Old Royal Consort comforted him. “Didn’t you say before that you would not marry anyone except Miss Wen? Now I no longer object. Isn’t this exactly what you wanted?”
Heh.
Gu Zhan forced a bitter smile.
That was the original Gu Zhan’s words. He probably did not even mean them seriously, yet now they were being used against him.
He had come in full of hope, but left thoroughly disappointed.
This was probably the perfect description of his current mood.